FAMILIES have had their homes flooded and belongings ruined on Christmas Eve after a water pipe burst in a Newtown block of flats.

Around 20 residences were affected and many have had to be re-housed due to the extent of the damage.

Neighbours raised the alarm at 10.30am this morning when Crossway Point in Norwood Road had to be evacuated.

Some of those whose homes and belongings were damaged were able to return.

Two fire crews from Reading attended the scene where they closed off the water mains before draining away the worst of the water.

Flats on the third, second and first floors were all affected.

Crew manager, Matt Hoult of Caversham Road fire station, said: "There was severe internal flooding and approximately 20 properties were severely flooded and residents needed to be evacuated.

"We managed to isolate the water but the food damage was extensive and affected communal areas and some of the residential flats.

"The housing association were looking at possibly re-homing some of the more affected properties and we had the Red Cross on scene to provide a bit of welfare."

Once the main water supply had been switched off firefighters began a salvage operation to remove the "thousands of litres" that had penetrated the building.

The liquid was channelled out and then specialist aquavacs were used to suck up what remained.

Mr Hoult added: "Some of them will be able to return but some will not because it was severe flood damage and electronic items have been damaged."

After around four-and-a-half hours on scene the fire crews left the building in the care of Catalyst Housing who were continuing work using aquavacs and looking to re-home those worst hit.